_edited.png)
It seems that soaps are trying to get in with the modern era and are including artificial intelligence within their storylines.
Coronation Street has incorporated this into not one but two storylines this year, and other soaps have also done a similar thing.
With new issues being brought to light as technology advances, it's important that soaps use their platform to raise awarness. But, is AI taking over soap?
Coronation Street and AI
Corrie fans will all know what AI is even if they hadn't come across it before this year. It's impossible not to be slightly haunted by the image of AI Oliver after all.
Earlier this year, gullible Leanne joined the dreaded Institute. For those unaware, this is basically a cult led by a mysterious woman called Willow who then delegates everything to Rowan.
With Leanne going through the ranks and upping her levels, she became attached to an AI version of her late son Oliver. The technology showed what he would look like now, although it only really was able to say "Hello mummy." But, whatever helps you through grief...
Elsewhere on the Street, Abi Webster became the victim of a deepfake porn video conjured up by Stefan Brent.
This storyline tackled the dangers of AI and how difficult it was to find the person responsible for sharing it.
Is AI taking over soap?
If we're honest, Abi's storyline was really well done but we have to ask ourselves if AI Oliver was really necessary?
We can totally picture and Weatherfield swarming in robots and holograms running the corner shop and pulling pints in the Rovers, but do we want it? No.
With other soaps in other countries considering using AI to bring late characters AND actors 'back from the dead' on screen, we have to ask, is this going too far? Is AI taking over soap?
And then there are the scripts themselves... Could they all be written by AI in years to come?
Is AI taking over soap?
Yes
No
